“He said he tried,” I croak, the lump in my throat choking me.
“I know,” Ethan whispers, kissing my forehead and pulling me closer as I begin to cry again. “I know.”
My body is stiff when I wake up, so I lean this way and that, stretching as I sit up. Then, the familiar tickle of grass on my legs has me alert and looking around.
She’s next to me, like always, but this time, I gasp when I see her face.
“Mom!”
Tears pour out of my eyes, but I try to force them away. I can’t look away or she might disappear.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she murmurs, and I throw my arms around her, sobbing when she hugs me back. I never thought I would get to hug her again, so I hold on for dear life, even as she tries to pull back.
I don’t let her, though. I keep ahold of her, sobbing into her shoulder as h
